Guides/Network
Wi-Fi or Ethernet for gaming? Getting the most out of Wi-Fi
A cable is the steadier connection, every time. But a good Wi-Fi setup is fine for most online games. These are the things that make the difference.
Why a cable is better#
Wi-Fi shares the air with every other device and with your neighbours' networks. When the air is busy, packets wait or have to be sent again, which shows up as jitter and packet loss in games, even when the speed test looks great.
Getting the most out of Wi-Fi#
- 5 or 6 GHz, not 2.4 GHz: 2.4 GHz reaches further but is crowded and slow. Check the band in Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi → (your network) properties. If your router uses one name for both bands, it may put the PC on 2.4 GHz; separate names let you choose.
- Position: walls, floors and especially metal and water (aquariums, radiators) weaken the signal. Every wall between PC and router costs.
- Power saving: Wi-Fi adapters can save power by sleeping between packets, which adds delay. In Device Manager → Network adapters → your Wi-Fi adapter → Advanced, look for power saving options; on laptops also check the power plan's wireless adapter setting.
- Mesh and repeaters: a mesh system with a cable between its units works much better than a repeater that relays over the air.
Powerline adapters#
Powerline adapters send network data over the home's power lines. They work well in some homes and badly in others, depending on the wiring. If Wi-Fi is weak and a cable isn't possible, they're worth a try; test ping and packet loss before trusting them.
Questions#
Is Wi-Fi good enough for gaming?
Is 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz better for gaming?
Frametide's scan checks your PC for setup problems like this one and tells you how many it found (Basic, €12.99 once). Premium (€26.99 once) shows which ones and how to fix them. Its checks include Wi-Fi on the 2.4 GHz band and a network cable running below full speed; Tweaks can turn off the Wi-Fi adapter's power saving.